24" kick drums?

Scott · Newbie Joined: Mar 10, 2006 Posts: 21

22x18 seems by far and away the most popular kick profile.
A handful of pro's use a 24x18 kick drum, like Scott Travis. Bonham used 26x14, and Bun E Carlos uses a whopping 28" kick.

I have never played a 24x18 kick or heard one in person (unamplified)

Will a 24x18" kick (Wood, acrylic or otherwise) have a clean punch to it? Or are they just to big and slow for anything except medium to slow metal and rock?

I noticed that even Pacific has a new 24" kick.

I have read the *true* reluctance for drummers to use a 24" kick is tom positioning, and lugging it in smaller vehicles. If those are not a factor for me, how about the sound?

Shane · Newbie Joined: Feb 13, 2004 Posts: 191

Bigger bass drums are great for less fast notes. If you play busy-I would go smaller.

rusty · Newbie Joined: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 15

I have a set of signature Rogers with 24 x 14 basses (it came as a double bass when I got it in '72). I currently have Aquarian Superkick on the batter side and a solid Pin Strip on the reso. Sitting behind the set the bass is slightly "boomy" but out front it is a solid note that punches through the band's sound. I've used both felt and wood beaters. The wood gives a hard, quick note but seems to use up the head faster, even with a pad on the striking surface. The drums are maple.

If and when I ever get another set I'd like to get an 18" bass. With the new heads on the market they get as big of a sound as a bigger drum and I think they look cleaner on stage and don't take up as much room.

rusty · Newbie Joined: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 15

I forgot to mention I don't use any muffling in the bass with the Superkick heads.

Before I had a pinstrip on the batter and a cutout head on the front, so cut out it just had the Rogers logo showing. Inside I had a blanket lightly touching the batter. The first rehearsal after I installed the superkick was the only time I've ever had the guys in a band comment on the sound of the bass. They loved it . . .

Scott · Newbie Joined: Mar 10, 2006 Posts: 21

A freind of mine in Vermont played a Rogers kit for a very long time. It was a 76 or 77 model with memriloc. It was basically a "Londoner 7" package. I really liked it. He had a 20x 14 or 20x16" kick that really cut via defined thump.

Right now, I am considering a compromise. Possibly a 22x20." I think it would be best to use a diameter smaller than 24". I read raves about the sonor 20x17(or 17.5)" kick.

Shane · Newbie Joined: Feb 13, 2004 Posts: 191

Don't be fooled by extra deep bass drums.
In order to get a good sound, you need to muffle them heavily, defeating the purpose of wanting more punch. I would suggest 20x16 or 17. Quicker punch.

Scott · Newbie Joined: Mar 10, 2006 Posts: 21

As long as the volume was sufficient, I'd have no problem owning a 20". I will have to try some kits with that kick profile.

Scott · Newbie Joined: Mar 10, 2006 Posts: 21

FWIW: Dave Lombardo (Slayer) plays 24x18" kick drums really, really fast. Cool

Marl · Newbie Joined: Aug 11, 2007 Posts: 4

docmacnab · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 7:26 pm Post subject:

May I chime in? Dude, I think it all really depends on style of music you want to/already play, the venue you are in (live or studio) and your budget. It also depends on your tuning, head choices and how you muffle it. Add to that, how you mic it.

I have a 20, 22 AND 24!! Different applications.

When I have to schlep my stuff around Manhattan, I opt for something smaller. If I am playing high-energy rock (see Haak-MacNab from Seattle), I use the 24. Most of my session work and more and more of my current schedule is more pop, indie or alt-country. For most of my "normal" club dates as well as bigger venues, I use the 22 for pop and the 24 for loud rock.

My 24 is done with a May Mic system, unmuffled solid (no port hole) front logo Ambassador head and a Remo Powerstroke 3 batter head. I use one felt strip on the batter with the Remo impact pad and run it wide open. But it rumbles and roars when I play a fast double kick. No good for blast beats or anything that requires a lot of articulation. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't sound like a gong! But it is more thunderous than stacato.

I personally have come to like my 22. Especially with the African mahogany inner plies. It has a lower fundamental pitch than a maple 22 and is reminiscent of my 24, but with less air to push.

Food for thought.
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